Today
I piled up the curb with debris and brush
from last year's garden--
fallen crab apples left uneaten by winter birds,
dead euynomous bushes probably munched at the roots by grubs,
and iris leaves that hadn't adorned an iris in three seasons.
Lots of stuff came from the garage, too--
empty paint cans from the people who lived here
before me,
a beat-up, comfy chair I didn't recognize,
plastic bins of clothes that never fit quite right,
and a small box of old keepsakes
that no longer make me smile.
The heaping curbside mound was totally
"suburbia meets Sanford and Son,"
so I'm thinking I owe the city trash collectors
more than just a tin of cookies for Christmas
--and the neighbors an apology.
but it feels good to breathe
all the way down,
and to know myself again.
Author notes
Art Prompt: see contest page
In a list
A contest entry
- The Birthday by CitrineSunrise.
700 points, ended May 11, 8 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 14 of 14
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I felt the redemption at the end.
Again, a nice piece!!
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This is so good, I smiled so big
Splendidly done indeed.
Best to you in all you do.
Tony
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Here we are treated to the literal Spring cleaning and, beneath the debris, the beauty of a metaphorical housecleaning. I enjoyed your interpretation of the painting as the woman looks in the mirror to rediscover herself. Thank you for your entry. Peace, Liz
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It is amazing to build a poem of old things. This is the way how the real poets see the world. Nice, this one is so nice done. I think I will have come to your site for more of poetry.
~Sonja~
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excellent poem Ten. it feels wonderful to get rid of all that stuff in the springtime. makes me think of feeling lighter and carefree for summer, and getting to know who we are, which is only the person and not anything else around us.
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This is a gem...a stellar story, a morning glory of re-discovery, like watering the garden.. and the hose saturates you blouse to move the world in timeless temple, the caring, response-ability to know what past is last to give tomorrow...such a bug to weave her beautiful rug
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to know... yes, there is a feeling from getting the place together, that in turn makes us feel the same about ourselves; clearing the dusty corners where too many things have accumulated... I think this is excellent... PK
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A wonderful read once again. Thank you.
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wow..
i'm tripping all over this writing inside my mind because, first you referenced Sanford and son(i just wrote a piece about them) and secondly because i was cleaning out an outdoor closet/shack that had piles of 'debris' and keepsakes this past sunday..wow..you're so deeply interesting in everything you write it's easy to get(happily) lost in you..
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Tired me out
As if I lugged all that stuff to the curb myself.
I also got to experience the ahhhh...
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"and to know myself again."
Yeah, debris gathers over the years, attaches to us and we become, at least in part, the some of that debris. Shake it off, cast it to the curb and feel that cleansing start to take place.
Reminds me, I need to go on a diet...same reasons as your curbside enema.
Are you Sanford or Son? Go ahead say it, you know you want to..."You big dummy!" I deserve that.
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You know I am always amazed at your writing. It makes me sigh and envious all at once
Gaylene
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smiling. i just did the same thing.
i love reading you.
lane
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loved the feeling of this poem through and through. Must be the season Ten, a good time for spring cleaning, inside and out-yes its good to breathe, through and throughout...peace
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